Note: I was born in the mid 50's.
What guns have I actually used.
There was no 911, much less cell phones when I was born and coming up.
Folks were self reliant, neighborly, in the city, and semi rural and rural areas.
The concern of "The Ruskies" attacking, and folks concerned about Gov't, Control and even Gun Control was discussed back then.
Mentors included Veterans of previous conflicts and shared how peoples were disarmed first, then they were more easily defeated.
Everyone grew up with a shotgun behind the back door, and kids learned to shoot at a very young age.
Mental preparation was ingrained and instilled , it was as we say today:
Software, not Hardware.
Keep in mind, folks did not have credit cards, they made do, did without, or patched up.
They did lay-a-way, and might sign a ledger at the mom and pop store for something, but that ledger was paid in full on payday.
Guns?
Folks did lessons with whatever gun they had. Yes, just like these IPSC/ IDPA, and 3 Gun stages, folks actually had "set ups" and run what they brung.
Chain gangs did work in cities, semi-rural and rural areas, so one "set up" might be this situation.
It did not matter what gun you had, instead of knowing how to use the gun you had.
It was common for that single shot shotgun, to be a Youth size. Because a bigger person can effectively use a smaller gun, where a smaller person cannot a bigger gun.
Anyone from Child, Teenager, Adult, Elderly, even Physically Limited could use that youth shotgun.
If the escaped prisoner from the chain gang showed up at the home, anyone could use that shotgun.
Even dial a hardwired, rotary tone telephone to get help. Many folks shared a 'party line'.
The Single shot shotgun is one firearm hoarded back for the reasons if Gov't ever imposed control and included the wording "repeating" , this gun would be exempt.
It was easy to reload for, and Veterans and those that knew history shared of "bread-n-butter".
Simply put, a people armed with such a simple gun, would kill enemy and take their guns and ammo.
Single Shot .22 rifles were another gun used by folks. It taught correct basic fundamentals on how to shoot, put food on the table, took care of pests on the property.
It too was simple to use, and like the single shot shotgun, it had a history of holding up and working in tough environments.
While many folks would buy a few .22 ctgs, or shotgun shells, or any ammo at a time, from a tin can, or bucket on a hardware store counter, even filling station, or grocery store...
Lots of .22 ammo was hoarded back, besides being able to handle a lot of tasks, the .22 ctg was not centerfire, in case gun control had some wording about "center-fire" ammunition, and the ammunition would be great barter material, along with wicks for lamps adn flints for Zippo lighters.
.22 handguns, were valued, and Nobody ever made fun of those folks doing whatever it was they did fighting the Cold War, and carried Colt Woodsmans, and small semi auto pistols that fired the .22 rim fire.
One thing spoken about a lot was, how important a concealable handgun was when matters were "difficult".
People had and were still doing things in countries where guns were not looked on with favor.
"Police" were not the nice Beat Cops that assisted a kid with a penny and a gumball machine.
Medium Framed dedicated .38spl revolvers were also respected, and valued. These could be reloaded for, and with light to heavier loads.
Oh, and if Gov't ever had some wording about "semi auto" handguns, or magazines, or how many rounds...
True.
When Tornadoes hit an area, and folks were hit hard, meaning guns, and other supplies stored and put back were under rubble, or blown away, neighbors went to assist.
Criminals would come down to take advantage of these victims, only to find out Neighbors had brought Single Shot Shotguns, Single Shot .22 Rifles, .22 handguns and .38spls.
For starters, as folks had these in "drums" or "foot lockers" and ready to go with ammo.
Along with candles, oil lamps, kerosene lamps, home canned goods, first aid and other items.
Yes, lever action rifles in 30-40, bolt action 30-06, Repeating shotguns, 1911s, BHPs were part of all this too as were a few other guns.
Folks just knew these guns.
How raised -What you do
Still the basic guns were not only in the home, they were set back for Gun Control, and Serious Situations.
When Katrina hit, some of us made a run to some folks we knew. Single Shot Shotguns, Single shot .22 rifles, Marlin 60s, Model 10s with simple ammo.
When multiple tornadoes ripped through in early 2008, these same simple guns were passed to folks we knew in need.
Keep in mind something else. When tornadoes, floods, Hurricanes and other disasters hit, folks get hurt.
If nothing else than hands and fingers being cut, sore from dealing with clean up.
Add busted arms, a busted leg, aches, pains, ...
Simple guns are simple to use when you are hurt.
I have used a single shot shotgun, in 20 ga, as we don't recommend anything bigger.
The Gov't might say we cannot have guns, caliber, or gauges as "Police" or "Military". That would put a damper on 12 gauge guns and ammo...
History will share some governments have done this or have this restriction, about peoples not having guns , calibers and gauges of "Police"
Still I have shot a moving vehicle, with looters shooting at me and mine, with intent of scaring off tornado victims.
I was mentored - right. I am a shotgunner.
5 slugs hit that vehicle moving and many thought I had used a pump shotgun. Folks think I am using a semi when I run a pump.
During civil unrests, (riots) I have shot firebombs before they reached a porch, or roof.
Mentors were doing this too.
WE turned a mob, in the dark, felling those firebombs and stopping the original threat.
I do not do goopy shotguns, with funky stocks and sighting systems.
Heck I competed with guns custom fitted and had the front bead removed on purpose.
Still a plain old single shot shotgun, will stop a firebomb.
Focus on the target, not the equipment - Will Fennell
Just my take.
I am not against newer offerings, or different ones.
I have been there and done that, more than once, going back to the mid 50s.
If I had the money, I know what I would be stocking up on ,and it would not be ARs, or EBRs.
Choose wisely.
